At that moment, hidden in the shadow beneath Chen Cheng's feet, an alchemist duplicate created by Mekas crouched beside Grol. Viscount William had sent Grol to Coles's side to watch over him, and Mekas was using Grol's Shadow Evasion to conceal them both.
Mekas had originally intended to use this duplicate to unleash a catastrophe here, then absorb the life force gained from slaughtering several cities to heal the wounds she had suffered while pursuing Chen Cheng and his companion.
But she had never expected a dragon to be in this remote place. The Black Dragon Emperor's appearance had thrown her plan into disarray.
At first, she had considered withdrawing and searching for another remote town.
Then Chen Cheng appeared and caught her attention.
Though Chen Cheng was now as tall as an adult, Mekas saw at a glance that he was only eleven or twelve years old.
For someone that young to have reached such a level, Mekas could not help suspecting who he was.
And once she had her suspicions, Mekas could not simply walk away.
She still remembered the sight of Chen Cheng entering deep meditation and growing stronger when she and Holmes had surrounded him and his companion years ago.
If this really was Chen Cheng, then even the slightest suspicion was enough: he had to die.
After hearing the plan Chen Cheng and his companion discussed, Mekas quickly devised a countermeasure.
She then took control of Grol and had him carry her out of the city through the shadows.
Back in the city, Chen Cheng's plan was simple. Alchemists were all madmen, and the best way to deal with madmen was to offer them something that caught their interest.
If he still had that sword with him, Chen Cheng might have used the Sword of